Connections: The costs and benefits of charter schools

What are your thoughts on charter schools? That question garners many different answers, and it is one of the most polarizing subjects we can discuss on the program. This hour, we preview a documentary called Backpack Full of Cash. It will be screened at The Little Theatre on November 30, and it explores how different cities have privatized their schools, and the impact that move had on their public schools.

This hour, we discuss the costs and benefits of charter schools, the impact on public school funding, and how to create schools that work well for all students. Our guests:

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The Democrat and Chronicle's investigation of lack of oversight in charter schools

We look at the growth of charter schools with reporter Justin Murphy, who wrote the recent story in the Democrat & Chronicle titled, "Charter Schools: As Movement Grows, Oversight Lags." Murphy's investigation looked at the money and connections involved with a local group. Our guests:

A charter school in Brooklyn has been in some trouble for creating a so-called "Got to Go" list of students. The allegation is that the school can boost its scores and other numbers by removing troubled students.

That kind of list is illegal, and a story in the New York Times prompted parents across the state to ask if other charter schools are stacking the decks. Locally, they say the answer is no. We talk about how discipline is handled, test scores, and more. Our guests:

Parents of charter school students in Rochester and Buffalo are suing New York State for more money. What's it all about? We'll learn about Brown v. New York, the case that contends charter schools are getting shortchanged when it comes to funding. The suit says New York's funding system is unconstitutional because charter students receive as little as three-fifths of what public districts receive to educate students. Who's right? What happens if charter schools see an increase in funding? Our panel:

Maria Delmau, parent of two daughters at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School

Jeff Halsdorfer, principal at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School, the oldest charter school in Rochester

Harold Hines, Legal Director of the Northeast Charter Schools Network

Eamonn Scanlon, Education Organizer for Metro Justice and the Alliance for Quality Education